Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa's expression hardened as she punched Jasper in the chest.

"Lyse, be gentle. I don't want you to hurt yourself," Jasper cautioned her, his voice trembling from her strength.

Sean, who was in the driver's seat, stole a glance at them from the rearview mirror and stifled a laugh.

"Jasper, I have a question for you." She poked his chest and asked angrily, "Did you know about the arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?"

His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, "Lyse, how did you hear about it?"

"How could you ask that question? I think half of the city has heard about it by now!" Alyssa then proceeded to relay Silas' update to Jasper.

"Damn it!" Enraged, he punched the car window. "By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage."

"They're being delusional. What era are we in now? They can't possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!" Clenching her jaw, she said, "If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!"

"But Lauren agreed to the marriage."

"What? But why?" Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.

"Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome."

remarked, "That's

trouble for Landon and Angie if she kept dating him. She

marry Freddy?" Looking skeptical, Alyssa surmised,

of Lauren over the arranged marriage with the Hodgsons. I might have

the solid build of the Rolls Royce was able

Alyssa struggled to breathe from the heartache. She lamented, "Oh,

grudge against you and

in any way other than to risk her happiness. That was the

girl." Jasper, tormented by pain, shook his

"Son of a bitch! I'd rather Lauren marry Cyrus than that good-for-nothing Freddy Hodgson! I'd rather keep

you think Landon stands

in Jasper's arms, Alyssa sighed softly. "Lauren and Landon might encounter more obstacles than us. Let's settle the immediate issue before discussing

Cornelius and Landon struck a deal, Preston's termination notice was immediately emailed to the inboxes of all company employees. The notice stated that Preston was relieved of all his roles in the

he had become an unemployed bum who had nothing to do with the Harper Group except when it came to receiving his

release his frustration

cursing Cornelius in his lounge after taking a few beers that tasted like wet cardboard. He accused Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep's clothing who'd sell out anyone to protect his interest. His friends had no choice but

bigger shareholders, it was only a matter of time before Preston made his return to the Harper Group and

Amber Altman at The Millennium. Rumors had it that she was fucking gorgeous. Get her here to drink with me!" Preston, completely smashed, ordered the